Nigerian music star Burna Boy has shared his thoughts on the constant comparisons and polls fans engage in on social media.
Taking to his Instagram story, he cautioned fellow artists not to be misled by online hype.
"Dear artists, don't let Twitter polls and Naija social media fans deceive you. They won't fill up any stadium for you in any part of the world," he wrote.
Burna Boy also pointed out the difference in streaming revenue between Nigeria and countries like the UK and US. According to him, topping Nigerian streaming charts isn’t a big deal compared to success in international markets. He urged artists to aim higher and take their music global.
However, his message has sparked reactions due to its dismissive tone. Referring to Nigerian fans as "Naija social media fans" gives the impression that he doesn’t see much value in their support beyond the internet, even though they play a huge role in promoting Afrobeats.
However, his message has sparked reactions due to its dismissive tone. Referring to Nigerian fans as "Naija social media fans" gives the impression that he doesn’t see much value in their support beyond the internet, even though they play a huge role in promoting Afrobeats.
This isn’t the first time Burna Boy has made bold statements. Ahead of his last album I Told Them, he described Afrobeats as lacking substance during an interview with Zane Lowe. He also once claimed no one paved the way for him, a remark that drew criticism from industry veterans.